Preview: Chain and the Gang at Ace of Cups

Whether you think Ian Svenonius is a genius or a charlatan, the D.C. scene staple’s status as an underground icon is not up for debate. As a member of Nation of Ulysses, The Make-Up and Weird War, Svenonius has been helping chart the course of indie music for nearly a quarter century. (There’s a reason Columbus rockers The Kyle Sowashes name-checked The Make-Up in their hipster takedown “Pitchforks.”)

Svenonius’ latest concept-as-band, Chain and the Gang, adopts a primitive, precious approach to post-punk and psychedelic surf-rock that fits right in on K Records. The group’s recent “In Cool Blood” EP swings and shuffles with the frontman’s trademark bravado, presenting a minimal take on rock ’n’ roll that nonetheless manages to get all up in your grill.